Children learn about reptiles, mammals at Victoria Public Library

July 6, 2013 at 2:06 a.m.Updated July 7, 2013 at 2:07 a.m.

Jimena Barragan, 5, reaches out to pet a rabbit with other children during Wednesday's Discovery Zone at the Victoria Public Library. The Texas Zoo presented a program allowing children to feel the soft fur of mammals and the bumpy scales of reptiles.
Angeli Wright
for The Victoria Advocate

With his mouth gaping open, 8-year-old David Garza III expressed his delight after touching the bumpy shell of a Texas tortoise Wednesday during Discovery Zone at the Victoria Public Library.

Other excited children crowded the floor as Texas Zoo program specialists Rachel Graham and Jessy Gould tiptoed between them, helping the children learn the difference between reptiles and mammals with their fingertips.

Gould said that her goal with the animal presentations is to "teach the kids to not only understand them but respect them and appreciate them."

The Discovery Zone presentation was one of the weekly hands-on programs the library offers for free for members of the community.

Assistant librarian Yvonne Rodriguez says that although each weekly Discovery Zone is different she always strives to make them hands-on, family-tied and a learning experience.

Discovery Zone is every Wednesday this month from 3 to 4 p.m., and activities range from educational presentations to crafts such as slime making.

For a full schedule of library activities this summer, go to victoriapubliclibrary.org.